Social Media & Me

Behavioral and Emotional Changes

• Withdrawal from In-Person Activities: Your child is spending less time with friends and family in favor of online interactions.
• Increased Anxiety or Irritability: They become visibly anxious or irritable when they are unable to access their social media accounts or devices.
• Obsession with Social Media: They are constantly checking their phone for notifications, even during conversations, meals, or at school.
• Secrecy and Lying: Your child becomes secretive about their online activities, hiding their screen or deleting messages.
• Changes in Mood and Self-Esteem: They show signs of depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem, often fueled by comparing themselves to others' curated online lives.

Physical and Academic Changes

• Disrupted Sleep Patterns: Staying up late to scroll through feeds, leading to exhaustion and difficulty concentrating the next day.
• Declining Grades: A noticeable drop in academic performance or a lack of interest in schoolwork.
• Neglecting Responsibilities: They are not completing homework, chores, or other responsibilities in favor of screen time.

Other Red Flags

• Seeking Constant Validation: They seem to base their self-worth on the number of "likes" or comments they receive on their posts.

• Risky Behaviors for Attention: Engaging in dangerous or inappropriate challenges for "likes" or followers.

• Escapism: Using social media as a way to escape from real-life problems or difficult emotions.

What is Cyberbullying? 

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. It can happen on social media, in messaging apps, on gaming platforms, and through text messages. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can be constant and pervasive, as it can occur 24/7 and in a space where a child feels they should be safe—their own home. It includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else.

How to Recognize Cyberbullying 

Recognizing if a child is being cyberbullied can be difficult because much of the activity is hidden. Parents should look for a combination of behavioral, emotional, and physical warning signs.

Behavioral Signs

• A sudden and unexplained change in how they use their phone or computer.

• Becoming withdrawn from friends and family, and avoiding social situations.

• Appearing nervous or jumpy when receiving a text, email, or notification.

• Suddenly deleting their social media accounts or completely avoiding their devices.

• A noticeable decline in school grades or a loss of interest in hobbies.

Emotional Signs

• Becoming uncharacteristically angry, sad, or irritable, especially after being online.

• Loss of self-esteem or becoming very self-critical.

• Exhibiting signs of anxiety or depression.

• Expressing feelings of helplessness or hopelessness.

• Having frequent and unexplained mood swings.

Physical Signs

• Changes in eating habits, such as skipping meals or overeating.

• Difficulty sleeping or an increase in tiredness.

• Complaining of physical ailments like headaches, stomachaches, or other symptoms of stress.

Parental Controls: Tools like Google's Family Link can help manage screen time, app usage, and content filters. 

External Resources: Websites such as Common Sense Media, StopBullying.gov, and The Family Online Safety Institute are all helpful resources for families who are unsure or looking for additional information